In the Fall, Georgia should have a campaign visit from one or more of the Democrat Big Three: President Obama, President Bill Clinton or First Lady Michelle Obama. Where is my ticket or can I get the hook-up. The logical facility for this historic event would be the Macon Coliseum because Georgia is the biggest state this side of the Mississippi River and logistics can be a bear. My county, Worth County, is half the size of Rhode Island.

Macon would mean that Georgians could drive equal distances to the venue and the congressional districts that need a little Dem star power converge in that region (the 2nd, 8th and 12th districts.) The problem that the congressmen from the 2nd and 12th have nice relationships with the White House while Rep. Jim Marshall from Macon has chosen to go it alone.

In the early 90s, I was worked for the Democrat congressman who represented Augusta and Athens, and a visit to the district from Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary was on the schedule. A reporter asked my boss if he wanted Bill Clinton to campaign with him in Georgia and the congressman said basically he would do his own campaign. O’Leary call our office and when on about “Bill is my friend and you don’t ask me to help you and disregard my friends.”

Secretary O’Leary is currently the president of Fisk University and is saving that historically rich Black college from the brink of closure. Fisk alumni include W.E.B. DuBois, Nikki Giovanni, Congressman Alcee Hastings, James Weldon Johnson, Congressman John Lewis, Mrs. Alma Powell and Secretary O’Leary. In 2005, the financial situation at Fisk was so dire that they considered selling artwork given to the school by painter Georgia O’Keeffe. If anyone can save Fisk for future generations, O’Leary is that person.

When the White House and the DNC consider where to dispatch the big guns, Macon should be at the top of the list. If not, Rep. Marshall must have said “no thanks”—a move that hurts the entire Dem ticket in Georgia. Albany State University or Fort Valley State University would host a big three event but the Georgia Dome will likely get the nod and Rep. Marshall will not think about being on that stage. They should send Hazel O’Leary to rap with him. “Look here…let me holler at you for a second, partner….you don’t ignore Bill nor this outstanding young couple in the White House. Keep this up and you will find yourself by yourself.”